19/20
Jancis Robinson MW
“Pale gold. Pungent nose. Very tight. Hint of putty on the nose. Opens out on the palate. Masses to chew on. Real concentration. Perfect for drinking now. Dry but complete. Intellectual and great balance. Very impressive.”
93 → 94/100
Essi Avellan MW
“Although a fine 2003 without a trace of heaviness or over-ripeness, for a Krug Vintage I find it to be distinctly simpler than the great years. The freshness of the wine is striking gained by the rather unusual blend, which has a particularly high Meunier content. Soft, deep, vanilla and tropical fruit character, the nose is now starting to show beautiful post-disgorgement development. Fleshy, round and strong body.”
95/100
Jamie Goode
“ID: 114002, which means this was disgorged in the first quarter of 2014. Tight, still, with bright acidity and some pithy notes. This is not what you’d expect from 2003. Distinctive toast and citrus, a bit of white peach and some hazelnut, with nice brightness. This is taut and direct with a crisp, somewhat clipped finish. ”
18.5/20
Jancis Robinson MW
“ID 414070. Krug started the harvest on 23 August, their earliest ever, but some grapes picked early in October because of vine shutdown. Frost in spring and then heat in summer shrank the crop.
This is a wine that positively bounces out of the glass! Real spine and concentration – exotic, explosive and yet beautifully balanced. Dried orange peel and spice. Great balance on the palate. Broader and more interesting and complex than the Clos du Mesnil 2003.
Drink 2013-2028”
95/100
James Suckling
“Light yellow. Powerful, complex bouquet evokes fresh peach, pear, floral honey, green almond and smoky minerals. Deep, palate-staining citrus and orchard fruit flavors show outstanding vivacity for a hot vintage, picking up ginger and talc notes with air. The strikingly long, sappy finish features zesty orange pith, smoky minerals and an echo of honeysuckle. I'd be in no rush to drink this one.”
95/100
Wine Specatator
“Like taffeta in texture, this harmonious Champagne is finely honed and fresh. A wonderfully expressive version, with ample spice and graphite accents to the blackberry pâte de fruit, coffee liqueur, dried apricot, singed orange peel and crystallized honey notes. Hard to stop sipping. Disgorged spring 2014. Drink now through 2028.”
95/100
Antonio Galloni
“A rich nose with deep, ripe chardonnay and pinot noir, red fruits, some dark mushrooms and plenty of grilled nuts, plus caramel, some deep spices, dried citrus, lemon peel and bready aromas. The trademark complexity is here and it freshens with air. The palate is intricately detailed and stitched together like needlework; very precise, very even. The acidity is articulated with some finesse and yet it has much more in terms of phenolics as the leading structural component. The phenolics are rich and ripe, sitting polished and even around immensely concentrated fruit with flavors of peach, nectarine and white cherry. The finish is deep, even and resonant. Drink now but rest assured it will hold for a very long time, just like Krug has proven in other warm years like '76.”
18/20
Jancis Robinson MW
“Sipped on the terrace of 'sister property' Ch Cheval Blanc. Round and ready and not too tight. Just opening out nicely.”
95/100
Josh Raynolds
“Light yellow. Powerful, complex bouquet evokes fresh peach, pear, floral honey, green almond and smoky minerals. Deep, palate-staining citrus and orchard fruit flavors show outstanding vivacity for a hot vintage, picking up ginger and talc notes with air. The strikingly long, sappy finish features zesty orange pith, smoky minerals and an echo of honeysuckle. I'd be in no rush to drink this one. Speaking of waiting, I had the chance to revisit the 2000 Vintage Krug and it has begun to pick up the smoky, weighty and nutty character that long-time fans of this producer crave. It's still plenty young but already unmistakably Krug, with a chewy texture and a sexy floral nuance dominating right now. ”
94/100
Antonio Galloni
“Soft, supple and delicate in the glass, the 2003 Vintage is super expressive today. Smoke, brioche, apple tart and spice notes flesh out in a resonant, impeccably layered Champagne loaded with personality. I can't think of a young Krug Champagne that delivers this much pure pleasure at such a young stage in its life. The 2003 has developed nicely since I last tasted it about six months ago. This is class personified.”
96/100
Huon Hooke
“This special occasion Champagne miraculously shows none of the negative effects of the hot 2003 summer. Classic Krug biscuit, toasted bread and peanut brittle aromas, mellow and very complex. Powerful, intense, full-bodied but still light on its feet. Very dry, with great line and length. Now to 2024. 12 per cent alcohol.”
17/20
Julia Harding MW
“ID code: 113015, therefore disgorged in the first quarter of 2013.
Deeper colour than the Grande Cuvée. Broad and rich and orangey on the palate. A little woody/cedary on the palate but not especially oaky. Not that concentrated on the finish. Really very soft in the context (2004s and 1998s).”